Hayden Panettiere’s Remains Released to Family as Investigation Into Her Death Continues

Hayden Panettiere’s remains have been released to her family as authorities continue investigating the actress’ sudden death at age 36.

The Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Panettiere’s body was released to her family on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Her remains were transferred to a mortuary later that evening.

Panettiere died in South Carolina on Sunday, Aug. 16. According to Coroner Mike Ellis, an autopsy has been completed, and investigators found “no signs of trauma” that would have contributed to her death. However, the final cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.

Ellis said it could take up to three months for all of the autopsy and toxicology results to become available. The investigation remains “active and ongoing.”

When first responders arrived at the scene Sunday afternoon, Panettiere was reportedly in cardiac arrest.

Her death was confirmed by her representative in a statement from her father, Alan “Skip” Panettiere. The family described Hayden as “an incredible light and a force of nature” who brought love and joy to both her family and the millions of people who watched her work.

According to a law enforcement source, Panettiere was with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson when she died. A police report obtained by PEOPLE states that Hickerson and his brother, Zach, were at the residence when emergency medical personnel arrived.

The report says Hickerson directed an officer to a “bag of medication” that Panettiere was allegedly taking. The responding officer, Matthew Bryan, described Zach as “very emotional.” Hickerson reportedly showed little visible emotion initially but became emotional after Panettiere was pronounced dead.

Panettiere and Hickerson were first publicly linked in 2018. Their relationship later became the subject of significant legal scrutiny after Hickerson was arrested on domestic violence charges in 2019 and 2020.

In 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a partner stemming from the 2020 case. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of formal probation, domestic violence classes, restitution and a five-year protective order. He ultimately served 13 days. The remaining charges were dropped, while the 2019 case was dismissed.

Panettiere later spoke openly about her struggles with addiction and described that period of her life as “a very dark and complicated time.” In a 2022 interview with PEOPLE, she said she had been struggling with alcohol and opioid addiction while feeling disconnected from her career and from herself.

For now, authorities have not announced a final cause of death. The pending autopsy and toxicology results are expected to provide additional information as the investigation continues.